Album Of The Year 2011


Ok, 2011 is winding to a close, it's been a wonderful year for music. I have really enjoyed the best of 2011 music thread so I figured why not toss up a year end personal award thread.

It was a tough choice for me but after much deliberation my album of the year 2011 goes to (drum roll)....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMxAYkU7gQ

Laura Marling "A Creature I Don't Know"

For me, it's timeless music, beautifully written and played with heart and soul. I cannot think of any women aside from Joni Mitchell that moves me the way Lara Marling does. Such an amazing talent. The chick is heaven sent.

Runner up to The Mountain Goats "All Eternals Deck"

And you?
richard_stacy
Bongofury:
I like to listen with headphones also. I have three very good pair. My question is: Do headphone amps really make a big difference? My amps and CDPs supposably have above average phone amps built in. Marantz PM 7200 and Marantz SA 8001.
Rok2id

Yes. I love the Luxman N100 tube amp and the new Ray Samuels solid state Dark Star. Both take up no space and with the right headphones sound incredible. I like the Seinheiser 800s, the Grado 500s, Sony 7506, and the Fostex B7s. I have my turntable hooked up to the Luxman and my DAC into the Dark Star.

I got rid of my rigs. Why, I love my grandsons more. They are 3 and 2 and I was always worried that a hundred pound speaker would crush them. Now I have a nice library away from the family.
Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams, by Various Artists was an enjoyable release on c.d. for me.
But I think the c.d. which I played the most in my car and on my Walkman was still Guy Clark's 'Somedays the Song Writes You'. There are just so many fine hooks and guitar solo's on this c.d. that lock me into repeat mode, wish it was out on vinyl.